Sooo...I'm not sure about this chapter. But in the next update, I promise that there will be Storm! So look forward to that!

J.C Posch

xXx

I realize soon on that fleeing a scene is hard to do in a wheelchair. Biting back the pain, I cringed as I got up from the chair. After four major surgeries, my doctors had ordered me to refrain from walking, but they never accounted for me being electrocuted by a mutant while being accused of killing my best friend.

I had to get out of there.

I hobbled as fast as I could down the hallway, trying to find a position to walk in that didn't hurt. I heard Dad calling to me, but I kept going. I couldn't face him or anyone else at the moment.

It took me awhile to get to my hideaway, but it was worth the pain and exhaustion. The moment the hearty smell of motor oil, exhaust and metal hit my nostrils, my nerves began to calm slightly. Since I was little, Dad's garage had always been a haven for me, whether it was his commercial one or the one behind the house. The garage offered me an escape from my problems, a distraction to work on and a comfort from Dad. Before exams at school I'd always study in the metal and auto shop at school, just because it had such a calming effect on me.

I wondered if even the school's giant garage would make me feel truly better though.

I settled down in between two motorcycles on the cold, smooth cement floor. I leaned to place my forehead against one of the bike's metal frame and closed my eyes.

When is the pain going to go away?

"Somethang Remy can help yah with, chere?" An accented voice asked. The voice was…kind of sexy. Young, but masculine. The accent sounded a lot like bushmen's from northern Quebec, but it was slightly tangier. Cajun, maybe?

But it was far too cheerful at the moment.

I opened my eyes to see a tall, young man grinning down at me while he wiped black grease from his hands with a ragged cloth. He had really thick, shiny auburn hair. It was longer than I usually found attractive on a man, but he wore it well. His long frame was wiry, built like an muscular acrobat. He had a strong chin and defined cheek bones, which aided in his bright smile.

And his eyes. They were black with crimson irises.

"Did Ah startle you? Ah apologize. Ah was just working here on my bike when you came in." The stranger, Remy, said. He reached out and gently took my hand, kissing it. "The name's Remy LeBeau."

"I'm-I'm-" I struggled to say, blushing.

Who did this guy think he is?

I took back possession of my hand and stood up, wincing. "I'm Leah."

"Leah, huh? Pretty name for a pretty girl." Remy winked at me.

And what was I supposed to say to that?

"Um, well, I better go. Sorry for interrupting your work." I said, moving to leave.

"Would yah mind stick'n 'round here for a bit, petite? Ah need help with dis here ol'bike." Remy asked, indicating a black and scarlet Harley behind him.

"I-" I was about to make up some excuse to leave, so I could find a more private spot, but Remy jumped in.

"Won't be for more den a few minutes, Ah swear. Ah just need a lovely assistant ta hold dis flashlight for me while Ah work on my girl?" Remy asked.

I realized then it would be easier to just do as he asked then argue. I followed him over to the work bench.

"What part are you working on?" I inquired.

"Need to rejet the carburetor. Dat means Ah-" Remy began to explain.

"I understand what it means." I said with a small smile. "I'm a mechanic's daughter."

"Is dat so? How lucky for Remy." He grinned at me.

xXx

Despite my reluctance at first to help him, in the end I did feel a little better. Remy was a care free, cheery guy. His flirting was annoying, but it was also nice not to have someone tiptoeing around me because I'm the broken sad human girl. Being treated like a human is what I needed.

I felt even better once he let me take over the rejetting.

"Done!" I announced, setting done the carburetor. "Time?"

"Ah dunno, my watch is broken." Remy laughed. "But fastest time Ah've ever did see."

"Hold your applause." I grinned.

That felt like one of the first true smiles I had in awhile.

I felt a gentle pull on my pant leg. I looked down to see Benny looking up at me accusingly with cement eyes. In response, I pushed out my stool away from the work bench so he could climb onto my lap. I knew it was only a matter of time before my little shadow found me. Along with his ability to take on the texture and colour of his most recent background (like a chameleon), Benny could teleport.

"Dis one yours, cher?" Remy asked, looking down at Benny as he examined the tools on the bench.

"Oh, no." I answered, wrapping my arms around the little boy. "He's just my friend."

"Yeah, Ah was dink'n you looked a bit young to have a little one already." Remy laughed.

"Oh yeah, I had him when I was twelve, no big deal." I joked making Remy laugh harder.

Benny smiled at us. He then reached out and touched the wood surface of the large counter we were working on, automatically giving his skin a wooden appearance.

"Pretty neat trick yah got dere, ami." Remy stated. A thoughtful look grew on his face. "Hey, are yah dat kid dat came from the base where Logan and Stormie were being held?"

Before I could interfere, Benny nodded. Remy let out a whistle and patted Benny's back.

"Yah one tough little son of a gun, Ah'll say dat." Remy told him. "Not a lota people coulda went through what yah did and been able ta smile."

"Benny's as tough as they come." I said honestly, giving the little boy a squeeze.

Benny shook his head, giving me a tiny smile. He then took a couple of tools laying around on the table and put them in between his fingers, and bared his teeth. He took a couple of swipes at the air with his claws.

I laughed out loud when I realized who he was imitating. Eventually Remy understood as well.

"Well of course yah ain't as tough as Wolverine, ain't nobody as tough as him!" Remy laughed, high fiving Benny.

"No to ruin his reputation or anything, but Dad's not as hard core as everyone thinks he is." I said, thinking back on the time when he turned to complete mush when I brought a stray kitten home.

Remy gave me a strange look. " 'Dad'?"

I quickly shut my mouth. At the moment, Remy had no idea who I was. And I wanted to keep it that way. Everyone knows me and what I've done. They look on me with pity because of Mom and Eric, and my injuries or they look to me like I'm some hero that I'm definitely not. Even though they must know what I fake I am.

I heard a knock on the door. The heavy door opened to reveal Dad.

"Leah, I thought I'd find you in here." Dad said, his brow furrowed with concern. "I'm glad Benny's with you."

"Logan, mon ami!" Remy called friendly, "How you been, bro?"

Dad looked past me to see Remy and in response, groaned. "Gumbo."

Remy got up and went to Dad, "Now, dat ain't no way to treat an old friend. It's been forever since Ah had ta lay my eyes on yo' old grumpy face."

Dad rolled his eyes and shook Remy's hand. "Glad to see you Gambit."

Remy grinned goofily, then took on a more serious tone. His face concerned, he asked in a low voice. "Hey, uh, how Stormie been doing? Ah heard what happened at the base and Ah came back here to see how she was. Any change?"

Dad shook his head.

"Well, do yah know when Ah can go see her?" Remy asked.

Dad answered in a very low voice and gave Remy a meaningful look. "I'll talk to you about that later. Right now, I have to get Leah back to the apartment to rest."

Remy looked in between me and Dad, and then he got that 'aha!' look. I was surprised my appearance didn't give me away sooner, to be honest.

Cover blown.

"She yo' petite, Logan?" Remy asked in surprise. He whistled, "How someone as pretty as her come from an ugly mother trucker like you?"

Dad scowled at his joke. "Come on Leah."

"See you around, cher." Remy called as I walked away with Dad, giving me a wink.

Once outside, Dad produced the hated wheelchair. I was glad he didn't bring it into the garage with him, but I was still annoyed to see it. I sat down reluctantly and Benny eagerly stepped up to push me.

"Hey bud, how bout I do that and you can ride?" Dad offered. Benny nodded (he practically worships the ground Dad walks on) and Dad bent down so that he could give him a piggyback ride. Dad began to push my chair towards the main buildings.

"You know you shouldn't have run off like that Leah." Dad said gently.

When I didn't respond, Dad went on. "I understand, but I was worried about you."

I still stayed silent.

Dad sighed, seeing that he wasn't going to get much of a response out of me at the time being. So instead he said, "Stay away from the swamprat, he's nothing but a flirt with roaming hands. If he ever gets feely with you, I give you permission to stab him wherever you want."

I snorted at that.